Showing posts with label Kallikratis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kallikratis. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 April 2018
Happy Greek Orthodox Easter!!!
Labels:
2018,
apartment,
Crete,
Easter,
Frangokastello,
Frangokastelo,
Kallikratis,
Monachus,
mountain,
Orthodox,
Sfakia,
διαμερίσματα,
Κρήτη,
Πάσχα,
Σφακιά,
Φραγκοκάστελλο
Location:
Sfakia, 730 11, Crete, Greece
Sunday, 8 January 2017
Light snow covers Sfakian mountains!
Labels:
apartment,
Apartments,
Frangokastello,
Frangokastelo,
gorge,
Kallikratis,
Kapsodasos,
light,
Monachus,
mountain,
Patsianos,
road,
Sfakia,
Sfakian,
snow
Monday, 2 January 2017
Sfakia in white!!!
Labels:
apartment,
Askifou,
Askyfou,
Frangokastello,
Frangokastelo,
Gavdopoula,
Gavdos,
gorge,
Imbros,
Kallikratis,
Monachus,
Sfakia,
snow
Location:
Sfakia, Crete, Greece
Thursday, 31 December 2015
Nasty New Year's weather!
Labels:
Apartments,
Chania,
Crete,
Frangokastello,
Greece,
Kallikratis,
Kapsodasos,
Monachus,
Patsianos,
Sfakia
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Solo Traveling in Sfakia, Crete, Greece, tips & insights!
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| Frangokastello fortress: Traditional Dancing |
If you are keen in meeting local people, taking in new surroundings and discovering original destinations, at your own pace, then Sfakia can be the perfect place to indulge yourself fully in an amazing experience.
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| Sfakian coastline from the path to Ag. Pavlos beach |
Sfakia belongs to the prefecture of Chania, in southwestern Crete. Being the largest Greek island you would expect urban lifestyle invasion on all its municipalities; still Sfakia manages to preserve its authenticity. It has a few mountain villages, mostly clustered around the main road that connects the south with the north, however, the majority of the population can be found scattered across its coastline.
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| Frangokastello plain from the zig zag road to Kallikratis village |
Though most of its villages can be accessed by car, there is still a handful of them than can only be approached by ferry boat or by following ancient footpaths, such as scenic Loutro. Car rental is necessary, as the area is not serviced by frequent bus routes. Some people take it one step further and choose to rent a 4x4 car, in order to have the option of visiting more isolated trails but in general the road network is kept in good condition.
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| Frangokastello fortress beach |
If you like swimming in literally crystal clear waters then this is the place for you. Your choices are unlimited. Set up your umbrella in virtually any place you like, as most of the Sfakian
coastline is accessible on foot. Choose the organized beach in front of Frangokastello fortress or the nearby Orthi Ammos beach, known for its vertical sand dunes. Alternatively, check Ilingas beach, a few minutes drive from Chora Sfakion. It has more than meets the eye. Swim to discover its two adjacent protected beaches. If you are interested in more secluded areas, then the whole shoreline from Sweet Water beach to Marmara beach and furthermore Agios Pavlos to Ag. Roumeli, is ideal as it can be approached only by boat or through hiking.
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| Aradena gorge: Marmara beach |
Now hiking. Hiking is what I personally love to do solo, I choose to be alone as I relish the freedom that nature offers you, I cherish to take in the smells and the sounds at my own pace and to choose the trails I like to follow. Sfakia is surrounded by mountains which form an uneven terrain full of gorges. Samaria gorge is Crete's most famous attraction and a preserving ground for Cretan flora and fauna. Still, there are other less crowded gorges. Imbros is the second most popular gorge and easier to access. Asfendou and Kallikratis are neighboring gorges to each other and can be combined. Manikas gorge maintains a good spot for vulture spotting. Aradena gorge offers a stunning start, through the so-named abandoned village and it is also known for bungee jumping. And the list goes on, there are numerous trails to be followed as Crete is traversed by the European long distance path E4. Choose wisely, most of the routes are safe to inexperienced hikers, still some need caution, such as Kapnis gorge that requires climbing experience.
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| Vulture over Manikas gorge |
Another great chapter of the region is the Sfakian cuisine. In general, Cretan cuisine is known for its Mediterranean characteristics and rich diet in olive oil and natural grown products. As well, Sfakian cuisine has its own aroma that distinguishes it from Cretan. It embraces all of the Cretan attributes while introducing its own special dishes. Make sure to try Sfakian cheese pies for breakfast, or fried snails for appetizer. Sfakian graviera (cheese) is also a nice delicacy that can be consumed with honey any time of the day. Try the full-bodied red wine from the mountain village of Kallikratis and of course wash all this down with a few shots of tsikoudia (raki), a drink always offered for digestion in the tavernas these days.
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| Sfakian cheese pie! |
Experience the Sfakian hospitality, not to mention the delicious food and wine, swim at isolated beaches, stroll in narrow village roads and admire the Sfakian architecture, wake up by the rooster crowning in the morning and enjoy hiking in nature. Sfakia awaits to be discovered!
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| Traditional hand stone grain grinder |
For more information please ask at the reception.
Labels:
Ag. Roumeli,
Aradena,
Asfendou,
beach,
Chania,
Chora Sfakion,
Crete,
Fragokastello,
Frangokastello,
Greece,
iligas,
ilingas,
Imbros,
Kallikratis,
Kapnis,
Loutro,
Manikas,
Marmara,
Orthi Ammos,
Sfakia
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Cloudy but impressive!!!
Labels:
Apartments,
clouds,
dawn,
Fragkokastello,
Fragocastello,
Fragokastello,
Frangokastello,
gloomy,
gorge,
Kallikratis,
Monachus,
morning,
Patsianos
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Panoramic Photo of Kallikratis village in Sfakia - Πανοραμική φωτογραφία του χωριού Καλλικράτης στα Σφακιά
Labels:
Apartments,
Chania,
Crete,
Greece,
holiday,
Kallikratis,
Monachus,
Sfakia,
διαμερίσματα,
Καλλικράτης,
Κρήτη,
Σφακιά,
Χανιά
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Off Season Photo Moments Pt.2
| Frangokastello fortess |
Follow Kallikratis' snake shaped road (see photo in older post) to get a view of the Frangokastello plain. In this photo, apart from the famous Frangokastello fortress, you can also notice Monachus Monachus Apartments.
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| Lakki beach |
It is only a few minutes drive from Frangokastello. The amazing thing was that there were three different sets of rock in the sea and each one of them was home to a different type of birds. The first and closest one was occupied by rock doves, the middle by herring gulls and the third one by adult and juvenile shags (the one in this photo).
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| Kotsifou gorge |
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| Lake Kournas |
The only freshwater lake in Crete. It is located close to Georgioupoli and accommodates ducks, eels and water snakes.
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| Venetian Lighthouse |
Old town of Chania.
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| Mosque of Kioutsouk Hassan-Giali Tzamisi |
Old town of Chania.
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| Fortezza |
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| Blooming almond tree. |
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| White Mountains |
Link to Off Season Photo Moments Pt.1
Labels:
Chania,
Fortezza,
Fragokastello,
Kallikratis,
Kotsifou gorge,
Lake Kournas,
Lakki beach,
Mosque of Kioutsouk Hassan-Giali Tzamisi,
Rethymno,
Venetian Lighthouse,
White Mountains
Location:
Western Crete, Greece
Monday, 8 April 2013
Off Season Photo Moments Pt.1
This is an album of a few photos that we found interesting and thought it will be nice to share with you. I chose to split them in two parts. In part one, the photos are spontaneously taken from inside the car as we drove around western Crete. While part two includes in addition, some sightseeing spots that we had to show you.
Please keep an open mind on our comments, we like to see the fun side of things, it makes life easier :-)
Please keep an open mind on our comments, we like to see the fun side of things, it makes life easier :-)
All authentic Sfakian signs have bullet holes. It is protection against strong winter winds.
Goat lane. At least they are using the shoulder lane. Goats seem to understand the automobile's direction and adjust their position accordingly, it is sheep you have to be careful of.
Small churches made either of metal or stone are vastly scattered around the whole Greek region. Unfortunately, they mark the place where a driver lost his/her life and have usually a candle sparkling in the night. Note them and respect them, they can be life savers for the rest of the passing drivers, especially in foggy nights.
Sfakian ram sheep. The red color on its wool marks the herd it belongs to and thus its owner. Also, other markings can be found on its ears. During mating season they tend to bump on shinny things as they confuse their reflection for a rival ram.
Mother and baby sheep. Very cute to observe, still, dangerous to drive by. Baby sheep notice cars literally the last minute, resulting in panic movements to approach the security of their mother.
To my opinion, this is the best road turn, photo-wise, in the whole of the Sfakian region. You have three signs to be aware of. Domestic animals, narrow road ahead, and difficult right turn. I think the only sign missing is falling rocks. However, the bus filled my expectations and the road.
Gavdos and Gavdopoula. As you descend from Imbros village towards the Sfakian plain you get the chance to see a magnificent sunset. Even if it is winter and the sky is full with clouds, the view is amazing.
This church is close to the entrance of Komitades village. The reason I included it in the album is because it is really difficult to get the whole church in your photo frame as you drive by. The street is narrow, allowing only a single car to pass each time, the mirror on the side of the church proves it. Thus, this is a difficult spot to stop and shoot. Night made it a little bit easier as you could expect to see light from an approaching car.
And last, but not least. One day, upon arrival back to the apartments, we noticed a man on top of the Frangokastello fortress. Please respect the monuments. If it were not for the railings access would not be allowed on top of the tower. We thought adult supervision was compulsory only for children and not for grown up babies. Leave climbing to the goats.
Link to Off Season Photo Moments Pt. 2
Labels:
Fragokastello,
Fragokastelo,
Gavdopoula,
Gavdos,
Imbros,
Kallikratis,
Komitades,
Sfakia,
Γαυδοπούλα,
Γαύδος,
Ίμπρος,
Καλλικράτης,
Κομιτάδες,
Φραγκοκάστελλο
Location:
Western Crete, Greece
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Foggy day trip on the road to Kallikratis
The village of Kallikratis is located in a plateau above the villages of Patsianos, Kapsodasos and Fragokastello, at an altitude of approximately 540 meters. There are a few ways to get there. However, the fastest and most fascinating is taking the road that ascents between the villages of Patsianos and Kaspodasos. It is a snake shaped road with breathtaking view to Frangokastello plain and the Libyan sea.
This is what the road normally looks like before taking the last turn that will lead you away from the cliff turning road and closer to Kallikratis village.
The day of our visit (9th of March, 2013) we had low visibility due to heavy fog.
Still, we found the scenery amazing. Rocks and plants covered by a misty layer gave us a bewildering image.
On our way back things have not changed much.
The following two pictures were taken a few turns lower than the first photo in order to capture the dividing line between fog and daylight.
Labels:
Crete,
fog,
Fragokastello,
Frangokastello,
gorge,
Kallikratis,
Kapsodasos,
Patsianos,
Sfakia,
Καλλικράτης,
Καψοδάσος,
ομίχλη,
Πατσιανός,
Σφακιά,
Φραγκοκάστελλο
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